The marvelous Barbara Machina with her daughter Zoe (8.5 months). Barbara has Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) and had a difficult time conceiving. She went through 6 months of fertilityr treatment and learned just before considering IVF that she was pregnant. From there, things went very well, she was healthy and ended up losing 20 lbs throughout. Barbara and her husband took Bradley classes and read everything they could to prepare for pregnancy and birth. She felt so ready when it was time for Zoe to arrive and she delivered her at a birth center after 15 hours of labor including 3 hours of pushing. Barbara has Premenstural Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) so she was worried about Postpartum Depression. She encapsulated her placenta and hasn't had any issues.

Barbara was born in Peru and spent the first 5 months of her life sustained on tea and then switched to formula once she was adopted by her Canadian family. Having not been breastfed herself it was exciting to have the opportunity to do so for her daughter. Zoe is the first blood relative she's ever known or had a connection with and breastfeeding her has brought an amazing connection. It was challenging at first, Zoe had a lip and tongue tie, reflux and a food allergy but Barbara has been able to treat what she can and eliminate other triggers and things are now going just fine. Barbara says that she has never felt more comfortable in her skin than she is now and she wants to show how at ease she has become in hopes of inspiring others.